On Your Tail Review: A Cozy Indie Mystery Adventure Worth Exploring

Often, indie games present several features that aren’t fully explored due to budget and time constraints. It’s like you see the spark of something cool but then realize it’s never fully executed within the larger scope of the main systems. That said, developer Memorable Games has a clear vision for their mystery adventure, On Your Tail, where they’ve crafted a heartfelt narrative around a girl at a crossroads in life—and whatever else they felt like turning into a game. Sure, this includes things like riding boats, playing marbles, going on dates, delivering mail, and whatever else you can think of, but the result is a genuinely fun experience that mirrors slice-of-life adventures such as Giraffe and Annika, while heavily focusing on character development for the entire town of Borgo Marina.

A Mystery That Balances Story and Slice-of-Life Elements

On Your Tail opens with our protagonist, Diana, failing an assignment. It’s established pretty early on that she doesn’t really have a path in life. She lives vicariously through others’ experiences but has failed to spend any time on her own dreams. So, she does what any young anthropomorphized ram would do: she runs away on her Vespa. She sets her eyes on the seaside town of Borgo Marina, but things escalate quickly after she almost gets into a wreck and is thrown into the middle of a mysterious series of thefts happening around town. Does it matter that Diana isn’t a formal investigator? No, because she utilizes skills she didn’t really know she had, along with tips from her mom, to get herself inserted into this town’s drama for an experience that she will likely never forget—and neither will I.

Clever Gameplay Mechanics That Keep You Engaged

Let me just say, this game is difficult to put in a box. On the surface, it’s a mystery adventure where players collect clues at various scenes and piece together events with the help of a magic lens given to Diana by her grandma. The main story wraps up in a clever way as it encompasses the game’s many parts. It highlights every piece of this ambitious adventure without losing sight of the core plot threads, and it doesn’t linger on unnecessary exposition or over-explain the why of it all. There are some really clever bits of game design that force the player to pace themselves without needing a true timer. While a few elements, like a true day and night cycle, are left on the table, it doesn’t really matter because there’s always something to do.

Exploring Borgo Marina: A Town That Feels Alive

What’s most impressive is how the narrative balances the enormous cast. Instead of having townspeople walking around, the developers let the supporting cast exist behind their home doors. By knocking, you can interact with these characters, collect clues, and even learn some interesting things about them and the town. Further, there’s a mail delivery side objective that explores more of the citizens’ personalities through unique interactions. But that’s not even all; you can go on dates, talk, and learn more nuanced details about the townspeople. It’s all capped off with each of the citizens receiving unique avatar cards and illustrations. This is a perfect showcase of indie developers working within their means and still delivering the impact of a living, breathing town.

Side Activities Add Depth to the Adventure

With the core narrative and citizens out of the way, On Your Tail really stretches its legs with the other activities you can do. Aside from being a mail carrier, other odd jobs include making gelato or working as a waiter in a café. It’s a fun challenge and never overstays its welcome. And that’s just touching on a few of the activities you can engage in while solving the main case. It’s possible to go on dates with a few characters, read books for new skills, buy items, gear, and even bathing suits. Yes, there are bathing suits, along with other outfits for Diana. On this point, I’ve never considered myself a furry, but why does Diana gotta be double-cheeked up like that? She’s got me feeling some kinda way, but that’s a frustration that likely won’t affect the game’s score.

Navigational Challenges in Borgo Marina

Anyway, back to the game—there’s a lot to do around town and many ways to spend time, but Diana runs really slow. This is likely the low point of the game: navigation. Borgo Marina is an absolute maze. I’m not sure if this is normal in Italy (which this game is meant to mirror), but the confusing map and Diana’s slow speed do impact the experience as you’re running back and forth across town. Regardless, the developers went the extra mile with the interiors of more stores than I expected. Sure, some stores are just illustrated backgrounds, but there are places to travel to by Vespa, and you can even go out to sea. Further, you can customize your room with items you purchase around town.

Diana’s Growth and Player Choices Shine

The experience evolves and grows far beyond the core mystery, but Diana never loses her core personality. Some choices are up to the player, like who you spend more time with, but as a lead, Diana brings so much to this adventure. She’s not just a vessel; she makes her mark on every interaction. I’m looking forward to whatever this team can do post-release with additional activities, areas, and bathing suits… I mean, more mysteries. The only feedback I have is that guidance is a little too loose, and some elements of the mystery take too long to develop. It’s like you’re forced to hit specific milestones or complete specific tasks in a specific order to progress. While this frustration is brief, the joker helper cards aren’t always helpful. That said, saving joker cards opens up ways to buy concept art and enjoy other collectibles.

Final Thoughts on On Your Tail

I didn’t expect to have this great of an experience with On Your Tail. Its happy and colorful world is approachable for those “cozy gamers” out there, but its narrative building and endless list of things to do, alongside its fun detective systems, puts this game in a league of its own. It’s an ambitious game that works with its indie limitations and expands into something I would say everyone wanting a truly fun labor-of-love adventure will enjoy. You may see a few graphical oddities at launch, like a missing card illustration or a confusing mini-game, but that never takes away from the absolute charm of On Your Tail.

Why On Your Tail Is a Must-Play Cozy Adventure

On Your Tail is the perfect cozy game. It’s an adventure that’s not afraid to wear its heart on its sleeve, mixing earnest storytelling, endearing characters, and a buffet of side activities into one seamlessly enchanting package. Even when it stumbles with pacing or navigation quirks, the genuine warmth and spirit of discovery shine through. If you’re looking for a game that captures that indescribable spark of small-town charm and personal growth, this is it. Diana’s journey left me smiling long after the credits rolled, and I have a feeling this quaint little mystery will linger in the minds of anyone who’s ready to embrace its gentle, welcoming world.